God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles
3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason, I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family [The Greek for family (patria) is derived from the Greek for father (later).] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
NOTES:
3:1–13 Paul reflects on his mission to the Gentiles. He
alludes to his call and appointment to the apostolic office (Eph 3:2–3) and how
his insight through revelation, as well as that of the other apostles and
charismatic prophets in the church (Eph 3:4–5), has deepened understanding of
God’s plan of salvation in Christ. Paul is the special herald (Eph 3:7) of a
new promise to the Gentiles (Eph 3:6): that the divine plan includes them in
the spiritual benefits promised to Israel. Not only is this unique apostolic
role his; Paul also has been given the task of explaining to all the divine
plan of salvation (Eph 3:8–9), once hidden. Through the church, God’s plan to
save through Christ is becoming manifest to angelic beings (Eph 3:10; cf. Eph
1:21), in accord with God’s purpose (Eph 3:11). The fulfillment of the plan in
Christ gives the whole church more confidence through faith in God (Eph 3:12).
The readers of this letter are also thereby encouraged to greater confidence
despite Paul’s imprisonment (Eph 3:13).
3:1 A prisoner of Christ: see Introduction. Paul abruptly
departs from his train of thought at the end of Eph 3:1, leaving an incomplete
sentence.
3:2 Stewardship: the Greek is the same term employed at Eph
1:10 for the plan that God administers (Col 1:25) and in which Paul plays a key
role.
3:3–4 The mystery: God’s resolve to deliver Gentiles along
with Israel through Christ; cf. notes on Eph 1:10; 3:9.
3:9 [For all]: while some think this phrase was added so as
to yield the sense “to enlighten all about the plan…,” it is more likely that
some manuscripts and Fathers omitted it accidentally or to avoid the idea that
all conflicted with Paul’s assignment to preach to the Gentiles (Eph 3:8)
specifically.
3:10 Principalities and authorities: see note on Eph 1:15–23
regarding Eph 3:21.
3:14–21 The apostle prays that those he is addressing may,
like the rest of the church, deepen their understanding of God’s plan of
salvation in Christ. It is a plan that affects the whole universe (Eph 3:15)
with the breadth and length and height and depth of God’s love in Christ (Eph
3:18) or possibly the universe in all its dimensions. The apostle prays that
they may perceive the redemptive love of Christ for them and be completely
immersed in the fullness of God (Eph 3:19). The prayer concludes with a
doxology to God (Eph 3:20–21).
3:14–15 Every family: in the Greek there is wordplay on the
word for the Father (patria, patēr). The phrase could also mean “God’s whole
family” (cf. Eph 2:21).
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